2006年VOA标准英语-World Economic Forum Ponders "Creative Imp

By George Dwyer
Washington, DC
25 January 2006
 
watch Economic Forum¹ report
 
  
  
Business leaders from around the world are in Davos, Switzerland this week for the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. As in past years, the challenges of an increasingly global world economy are on the agenda. The theme of this year's conference is the role of "The Creative Imperative²" in addressing those challenges.

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The annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is an occasion for business and political leaders to examine global trends in economics and development. Security is tight due to concerns that anti-globalization advocates could try to disrupt the meetings. But in recent years organizers have attempted to address opposing views. And this year, participants will be discussing creativity and innovation as critical components³ of sustainable development.

"I think the observation is that creativity and innovation are key to the whole process of globalization,” says Hans Timmer of the World Bank.  “It's the most important way to address the important challenges that many of the countries in the world are facing at the moment."

Mr. Timmer analyzes⁴ the prospects⁵ for development in the global economy for the bank.

 
Hans Timmer
  
"The most important process at the moment that you are seeing in the developing world is an increase in productivity.  You see throughout the developing world a very solid increase, around 6 percent for all developing countries together. It's not just China and India; we see it in all the developing regions. And the reason is an increase in productivity and that comes through an increase in creativity and innovation."

Mr. Timmer says you can see the trend in product development and innovation, but also in newly developing methods of trade and cooperation

"You see a large move into, not just more products, but also different kinds of products, as a result of which you see changing patterns of trade in the world, you see competition in global markets with very positive impacts on a lot of countries also."

Economists⁶ and business leaders typically deal with issues involving competition for finite  resources. That is why it is unusual that this week in Davos they are discussing the role of creativity - a resource that really has no limits.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

2 imperative   

n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的

参考例句：

• He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
• The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。

3 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

4 analyzes   

v.分析( analyze的第三人称单数 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析

参考例句：

• This approach analyzes management by studying experience usually through cases. 这个学派通常从实例获得经验，用以分析管理。 来自辞典例句
• The econometrician analyzes statistical data. 经济计量学者要分析统计材料。 来自辞典例句

5 prospects   

n.希望，前途(恒为复数)

参考例句：

• There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
• They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。

6 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》